The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked the rights to 762 plots of land in Abuja’s upscale Maitama 1 District. This action targets prominent Nigerians and corporate organizations that failed to pay for their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O).
In addition to the revocations, 614 individuals and companies have been given a two-week ultimatum to settle their outstanding payments or risk losing their plots.
Among those affected by the revocation are:
Former President Muhammadu Buhari’s Muhammadu Buhari Trust Foundation
Former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, and his wife, Regina
Former Governors Rochas Okorocha, Ben Ayade, Seriake Dickson, Shaaba Lafiagi, Ahmad Sani, and Kabiru Gaya
Federal lawmakers, past and present, including Enyinnaya Abaribe, Abdul Ningi, Sunday Karimi, Abdulfatai Buhari, Dino Melaye, Barnabas Gemade, Shehu Sani, Adeyemi Adaramodu, Abba Moro, Danjuma La’ah, and Abdulmumin Jibrin.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) justified its actions under Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978, which empowers the FCT Minister to revoke statutory rights of occupancy for non-payment of statutory fees.
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A notice from the FCTA stated:
“The Federal Capital Territory Administration wishes to inform the allottee(s)/titleholder(s) of plots of land in Maitama 1 who have failed to make payment for their Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills after the expiration of the grace period granted by the Honourable Minister, Federal Capital Territory, that their Right of Occupancy to the land/property has been withdrawn.”
The FCTA further emphasized that affected individuals and entities have two weeks to clear their outstanding dues to retain their plots.
This is not the first time Minister Wike has taken decisive action against defaulters. In September, he revoked the Certificates of Occupancy for 165 plots in Abuja, citing similar issues of unpaid statutory fees.
Defending his actions, Wike reaffirmed his commitment to making difficult decisions for the public good, even at the expense of upsetting wealthy and influential individuals. “When we make the right decision, some people will be happy, and some will not. The rich will kick against some of our decisions, but anything that will help our people must be done,” he said.
The minister’s actions signal a firm stance on enforcing accountability and compliance within Abuja’s land management system.
